scared to death

[Minnie6901]

My doctor noticed a large mass in my lower abdomen and ordered an ultrasound and vaginal ultrasound. The results showed a mass which was caused by my ovary.  I will have a CATscan on Monday.

I am so nervous I can't eat or sleep.  I am 69 years old.  Does this sound like cancer to any of you?  What are the chances that it may be?

I wish I could relax a little.  Love to All.

Minnie



This discussion is related to Would anyone ever suggest to not operate?.

[shewrites]

Whoa!  Even worst case, you'll most likely be here to celebrate new year's 2012 -- and beyond as well.   Best case, you'll still be going strong ten years from now -- and probably beyond as well.  

I recommend you return the wig.  If you have to have chemo, you'll probably be given names of local beauticians and companies which specialize in custom wigs.  Get yourself something you'll enjoy wearing, even if it costs a little more. The specialists also have scarves, caps, caps with bangs or falls attached, and other innovative stuff to cover your head.  Brave girls also go bare.   There's plenty of time to get that taken care of.  

I'm not going to tell you not to worry.  But you might want to try to worry only about those things you know you should worry about.  (Where's the Monday morning doctor's office?  How long will you have to wait in his waiting room?  What's for Sunday dinner?)  

Good luck ... keep in touch ... and God bless ...

[ireneo]

When I think of a cyst, I think of a balloon type thing filled with something. A tumor or mass are pretty much the same thing. But that's my thought on the terminology.

Not knowing what's going on is possibly just as bad as having surgery. Once they get things cleared out of there, you feel a sense of relief even if your belly does hurt and you walk around like a crab.  :-)  

They won't be able to tell you for sure what's going on in there until they remove it and test it. An experienced surgeon can make a good guess but testing is the only way to know for sure.

Will you have a gynecologist/oncologist doing the surgery?  They are the best equipped to know what to do, how to do the best clean up in there. My cyst, although large, was pretty simple but my gyn. still had the oncologist there. When she said the onc was going to be there, I just about ran out of the room. I didn't want to even consider that possibility. But really, they are the best to have around in case things look a bit off.

Don't be surprised if they want to schedule surgery soon. A cyst/mass/tumor just doesn't belong inside your tummy and they'll want to get it out. Good luck on Monday.

[Minnie6901]

Thanks so much for easing my mind somewhat.  My gynecologist said the mass fills my abdomen, but didn't say how big it is.  I only weigh 100 pounds so it wouldn't take much to fill my abdomen I guess.  I have been referred to a gyn/oncologist at Lahey Clinic on Monday.  I will meet with her, have a CAT scan and then meet with her again to discuss surgery plans.  In any event, a complete hysterectomy is in store for me.  I suppose they figure that since I am 69 it's best to do that.  

I hate to sound like a baby but I have never been sick and this has devastated me.  I can't eat, sleep or read.  I am just surfing TV.  I wrote my obituary last night. (seriously)  I bought a wig yesterday and it is hideous.  Hopefully, I won't have to wear it.

I'm so happy to have found this site.  I think I posted two messages because I thought this one didn't go through.  I'm so happy that your mass turned out to be benign. It gives me hope.
By the way, what is the difference between a cyst, a tumor and a mass?

[ireneo]

Did they say how large it was? I know the waiting is terrible. I'm post menopausal and I developed a large (10 cm) cyst on my left ovary. Because of the size, it had to come out along with my ovary and tube. The good news is it was all benign. I was under the mistaken impression that since I was post menopausal then my ovaries were done, in hibernation, whatever. It was a surprise to me.  It's been mentioned many times here that ovarian cysts are benign in about 90% or more of the cases. Those are pretty good odds in your favor. I hope you learn more on Monday. And I hope you'll keep us posted. Everyone here is so kind and encouraging. They know just how you feel.